THE MERCURY AGE SUPERMAN!

Launched in 2006

By the beginning of the 21st century, the Iron Age had run its course.

There were a number of initial attempts made to create a new continuity in which to house Superman's newly revitalized personality and characterization.
The first of these never made it out of the gate: The Superman 2000 proposal would have worked within the established 1986 reboot continuity, but it was ultimately rejected by DC.
The 2nd, which retconned the 1986 reboot into "a false memory," also worked within the established continuity but simultaneously incorporated many elements and sensibilities of the Bronze Age. It was floated as a trial-balloon but after much speculation and debate on the part of the fans, DC eventually back-pedalled on it.

With the departure of Jenette Kahn from her twenty year tenure as
President and Publisher at DC, new paths were examined. Paul Levitz was promoted to President and DC soon published Superman: Birthright, which created a newly updated origin and continuity for Superman. The book was a critical success and was incorporated
into the published comics for a brief time. But it, too, was ultimately decided against by DC.

Many writers and artists were experimenting with different ideas - but none of these ideas, for whatever reason, was able to take hold.

Dan DiDio came on board as Executive Editor and brought with him new editors, new writers, new artists - and
a new approach.
Adventures of Superman and Superman were merged back into one title, as it had been prior to 1986 - a very clear signal that DC was serious about change.

After the "instant-reboot" approach of
the recent revamp attempts, this time Superman's latest backstory is being unveiled in
bits and pieces. As current Superman and Action Comics editor Matt Idelson describes it,

20 years after the publication of Superman #423, Superman and The Adventures of Superman are re-merged back
into one title with Superman #650.

"There's a tremendous amount of back history to sort through and decide upon, and the general feeling is that taking things on a case-by-case basis leaves us more room to explore and to be inspired along the way. We'd like to not limit ourselves by deciding everything up front.

"Kurt Busiek and Geoff Johns are approaching the character from a place of affection. They plan to use elements from across Superman's rich history, not just drawing from one era, but using whatever's interesting from the Golden Age, pre-Crisis, post-Crisis, the movies, the TV shows and more - and to build it all into something new and exciting."